Applying neuroscience helps middle-aged workers reposition their careers

Instead of panicking when losing their job, middle-aged workers can use neuroscience to reposition themselves and find new directions.

Data from the UK Office for National Statistics shows that middle-aged workers are gradually being pushed out of the market. The employment rate drops sharply after age 50, with 71% of people in the 50-64 age group working. When losing their jobs, this group is twice as likely to be unemployed as young people due to age discrimination.

According to behavioral scientists, Gen Belonging to the "sandwich" generation, they bear the pressure of taking care of elderly parents and children, while also having to adapt to new technology and take care of retirement finances. Prolonged stress increases cortisol levels, disabling the brain's creative thinking ability, pushing workers into survival mode instead of strategizing. Millions of people are being left behind even though they have about 15 years left to contribute.

To escape the crisis, career consultant Rosie Nixon (UK) said middle-aged people need to renew themselves.

Neuroscience proves that the brain still maintains the ability to change and adapt even when people are over 60 years old. Instead of asking "Why doesn't anyone hire me?", employees should ask themselves "What value do I want to create next?". From there, they can use decades of experience to their advantage to change direction.

Ms. Nixon proposed the PRO method, which includes three steps: Pause - Reflect - Organize. This method helps workers regain composure, determine their desires and map out their career path.

Pause

This helps the nervous system reduce stress before making decisions. When under pressure, the prefrontal cortex - the planning area - stops working. Actively pausing is a way to restart the nervous system.

Workers should spend 60 seconds of deep breathing every day to reduce cortisol and activate thinking. Then, go to nature or a quiet space, away from electronic devices. You should interrupt negative thoughts by anchoring yourself in the present (like putting your feet on the floor, breathing deeply and naming 5 objects around you).

Reflect

This step is to determine your true values and desires. The most successful transformations come from doing familiar things in new ways. "Redefine your current core values ​​to find your motivation to work," Ms. Nixon said.

Candidates should ask relatives to point out strengths that they have not fully utilized. Instead of starting from scratch, list the aspects of your old job that still bring positive energy as a basis for direction.

Organize

The brain functions effectively when it has a clear structure. Workers should plan out small, consistent, and controlled steps.

Start by evaluating your finances to know how much income is enough. Then, expand connections in the new space, because job opportunities often come from peripheral networks (acquaintances, old colleagues) instead of close friends.

Finally, to overcome the automated recruitment system (AI), candidates should use keywords from the job description, quantify achievements in numbers, avoid making complicated resumes (CVs) and regularly update them online.

The last 10-20 years of your career can be the most valuable. Resetting your roadmap helps maximize your accumulated strengths, instead of forcing yourself to become a completely different person.